Super Bowl XLI: Bears better than oddsmakers think

This has to be a set up. The Bears are 7-point underdogs against the Colts? The last time I saw a line this out of whack, the Packers were favored by 11 1/2 points against the Broncos in Super Bowl XXXII.

I don’t have a good feel for who’s going to win Super Bowl XLI that will be played next week in Miami, although I’d give a slight leans towards Peyton Manning and another final-minute, victorious drive. But I’d bet my second-cousin’s mortgage on the Bears keeping the game closer than the oddsmakers believe.

One thing I’ve noticed about the Bears after covering their two playoff wins: They almost always start with great field position. Devin Hester didn’t do much in either game, but his mere threat causes opposing kickers to squib, pooch or shank.

Look, my respect for the boys in Vegas extends north of any squares chart. By hook, crook or turnover-for-easy-touchdown, they’re right more than I am. I just think this particular posted line between the Colts and Bears is a reflection of the perceived AFC superiority over the NFC – which, in reverse, was the cause for the ridiculous odds of the Packers-Broncos’ Super Bowl – and the overreaction to the game’s quarterbacks.

I’ll leave you with this: Just because Manning is way better than Rex Grossman doesn’t mean the Colts are way better than the Bears.

I agree about the line being off. Like my friend said: “I thought everybody watched both of those games.” The Colts had faces of total relief after their win, not jubilation and anticipation. As Shannon Sharpe said, “they won the game they needed to last week.” This tells me they won’t be ready to play in the Super Bowl.

I agree about the line being off. Like my friend said: “I thought everybody watched both of those games.” The Colts had faces of total relief after their win, not jubilation and anticipation. As Shannon Sharpe said, “they won the game they needed to last week.” This tells me they won’t be ready to play in the Super Bowl.

The Bears have a shot to minimize the Colt’s offensive power if their defensive line can apply the “in your face” pressure that easily flusters Manning. The Bears secondary showed they could play man to man against the Saints receivers who are younger and faster then Harrison and Wayne. The Bear’s linebackers also showed amazing range at dropping back to help in certain pass schemes.

The Bears have a shot to minimize the Colt’s offensive power if their defensive line can apply the “in your face” pressure that easily flusters Manning. The Bears secondary showed they could play man to man against the Saints receivers who are younger and faster then Harrison and Wayne. The Bear’s linebackers also showed amazing range at dropping back to help in certain pass schemes.

Everybody forgets that the Colts defense has stepped up this post season. This isn’t all about the Bears’ defense. The Colts will shut the Bears’ Offense down. The Bears’ defense can’t stop Manning.
Colts win 41-10

Everybody forgets that the Colts defense has stepped up this post season. This isn’t all about the Bears’ defense. The Colts will shut the Bears’ Offense down. The Bears’ defense can’t stop Manning.
Colts win 41-10

Remember last years Superbowl?
The league tilts the field in favor of one team or another all the time. How did the Bears even make the Superbowl? They were in the playoffs last year and end up with one of the easier schedules this year – I wonder.

The Bears are owned by one of the original NFL families. She hasn’t sniffed a Superbowl in 21 years. I think the league wants her to win one. Chicago “deserves” to win one. The same thing happened last year with the Rooneys. Not to mention Chicago is a bigger market and the NFL stands to make a lot more money if the Bears win.

I’m not saying the games are straight up fixed, but the refs sure do have the ability to tilt the field. A holding penalty here, illegal contact there, automatic first downs at key times can severely change the outlook of the game (see last year). The Colts may be good enough to overcome a lot of this (good teams overcome bad calls), but I would look for it to be closer than people think. Especially if you see the point spread move to 8+. Vegas stands to make a lot of money too.

I’m not sure who will win, but I know who will have more penalties. I’m taking the points. If the money line moves to 250 I’m taking that too. There’s to much money involved for it to be “pure”. That’s just the way life is.

Remember last years Superbowl?
The league tilts the field in favor of one team or another all the time. How did the Bears even make the Superbowl? They were in the playoffs last year and end up with one of the easier schedules this year – I wonder.

The Bears are owned by one of the original NFL families. She hasn’t sniffed a Superbowl in 21 years. I think the league wants her to win one. Chicago “deserves” to win one. The same thing happened last year with the Rooneys. Not to mention Chicago is a bigger market and the NFL stands to make a lot more money if the Bears win.

I’m not saying the games are straight up fixed, but the refs sure do have the ability to tilt the field. A holding penalty here, illegal contact there, automatic first downs at key times can severely change the outlook of the game (see last year). The Colts may be good enough to overcome a lot of this (good teams overcome bad calls), but I would look for it to be closer than people think. Especially if you see the point spread move to 8+. Vegas stands to make a lot of money too.

I’m not sure who will win, but I know who will have more penalties. I’m taking the points. If the money line moves to 250 I’m taking that too. There’s to much money involved for it to be “pure”. That’s just the way life is.

Wow, I thought I was the only one who thought the Bears would pull it off. Sorry Manning, as many times as you’ve slaughtered the Broncos I thought I hated you, but I found myself rooting for you this year’s playoffs. But as the cliche goes “Defense wins championships.” Rex will pull it off, it will be close, but Urlacher and company will stop Dallas Clark and Marvin Harrison won’t be a factor. Wayne will have a good game, but it won’t be enough. Bears 30-27.

Wow, I thought I was the only one who thought the Bears would pull it off. Sorry Manning, as many times as you’ve slaughtered the Broncos I thought I hated you, but I found myself rooting for you this year’s playoffs. But as the cliche goes “Defense wins championships.” Rex will pull it off, it will be close, but Urlacher and company will stop Dallas Clark and Marvin Harrison won’t be a factor. Wayne will have a good game, but it won’t be enough. Bears 30-27.

Nicki Jhabvala is a Broncos beat writer for The Denver Post. She was previously the digital news editor for sports. Before arriving in Denver, she spent five years at Sports Illustrated working primarily as its online NBA editor. She also spent two years as a home page editor at the New York Times.